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WORKER SAFETY AND HEALTH PRACTICES AT

GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANTS IN THE DOE COMPLEX:

RESULTS OF HISTORICAL INVESTIGATION (1999-2000)

Ronald StolbergOffice of ES&H EvaluationsOffice of Independent ES&H Oversight

AIHCE Conference June 6, 2001

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Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

Overview• Background and Scope of the Investigation

• GDP Processes, Description, and Operations• Historical Conditions and Practices• Radiological, Physical, and Chemical Hazards

• Worker Safety and Health Programs • Epidemiology and Other Health Studies

• Investigation Results

• Administration Actions/Worker Compensation

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Background and Scope of Investigation• Historical period from GDP construction (early

1940s) until GDPs privatized (late 1990s)• Documented working conditions and hazards• Identified applicable standards and requirements• Determined effectiveness of management policies• Investigation Process - Reviewed historical

documents, interviewed workers, toured facilities

Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

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GDP Processes, Description, and Operation

• GDPs established to provide enriched uranium for nuclear weapons, nuclear propulsion and commercial power plants

• Involves increasing proportion of U-235 through repeated application of series of separation stages (or cascades)

• GPD process similar at Oak Ridge, TN; Paducah, KY; and Portsmouth, OH

• First GDP Plant at K-25 Site in Oak Ridge, TN; began operating in 1945

• Site also contained barrier manufacturing plant

Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

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Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

Historical Conditions and Practices

• 1940s and 1950s - emphasis was on production of material to support War effort and Cold War

• Security conscious environment

• Workers discouraged from raising concerns

• Self-regulating environment

• Hazard communication, exposure monitoring, and medical surveillance programs minimal

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Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

• Radiological hazards included uranium, uranium decay products, transuranic elements, and fission products

• Widespread belief that uranium not significant health hazard

• Risks include exposure to lung, kidney, and bone

• Consensus standards not rigorously enforced at GDP sites

Radiological, Physical, and Chemical Hazards

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Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

Radiological, Physical, and Chemical Hazards • Physical conditions were harsh

– Temperatures could range from 84-96 degrees Fahrenheit

– Noise level measured at 103 to 108 decibels

• Workers potentially exposed to a wide variety of chemical compounds including

– Hydrofluoric acid, uranyl fluoride, fluorine, freon, and asbestos

– Mercury in instruments and gauges

– Nickel dust and fumes from welding operations and other activities

– Methyl chloroform, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride and other degreasing agents

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Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

Worker Safety and Health Programs• Programs in industrial safety, industrial hygiene, health

physics, and medical; staffing was minimal

• Safety and health organization provided awareness information and provided limited surveys

• In 1940s and 1950s, hazards sampled included dust, chemicals, noise, and heat

• In 1950s, handbook on criticality safety, personal protective equipment, and chemical burns published

• In 1972, high priority industrial hygiene problems identified (noise, heat stress, laboratory hood ventilation, asbestos, beryllium, and organic solvents)

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Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

Epidemiology and Other Health Studies• In October 1996, Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers

Union initiated an assessment to establish need for medical surveillance program for former GDP workers

• Study indicated that GDP workers had significant exposure to pulmonary, bladder, renal, neuro, and hepatotoxins; and noise and heat

• Epidemiologic studies demonstrate excess risk for -- bladder cancer, chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, asbestosis, chronic nephritis, and bone cancer

• Assessment findings indicated need for targeted medical surveillance program

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Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

Investigation Results• National defense issues, economic conditions, and

industrial practices influenced working conditions

• Production priorities took precedence over environment, safety, and health considerations

• Professional safety and health staff were minimal, hazards not always communicated, and controls often inadequate

• Unnecessary exposures resulted• Prior to 1970s, ES&H regulations and oversight were

minimal

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Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

Administration Actions/Worker Compensation• Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation

Program Act passed October 2000 (Bill 5408, Title XXXVI)• Benefits to covered workers include lump sum payment of

$150,000 and payment of future medical benefits associated with disease

• Covers workers with beryllium disease, certain cancers, and silicosis

• The Department of Energy is in the process of opening thirteen worker advocacy offices across the country

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Investigation of Worker Safety and Health Practicesat Gaseous Diffusion Plants

Administration Actions/Worker Compensation

• Gaseous Diffusion Plant Investigation Reports are available at http://tis.eh.doe.gov/oversight/reports

• Contact DOE Office of Worker Advocacy at 1-877-477-9756 for information and see http://www.eh.doe.gov/benefits for a copy of legislation